Hyouka - Episode 22 [END] Discussion / Poll

[bellsboy66]

Can't really say too much about how beautiful this episode was, KyoAni really pulled out the stops on the finale. The last part took my breath away. Especially the "almost" confession :-).
One thing I have finally noticed about the two main characters, it that while Chitanda might be in "charge" of the Classics Club as its president, Oreki is definitely its "leader".
And, he has proven once again, that he can be depended upon, especially by Chitanda, and to a lesser degree his Satoshi and Mayaka, to come to their assistance if needed. This episode alone totally destroys his "energy saving" life, as he finally admits himself.

So, does anybody else think that Chitanda might have been unconsciously husband hunting when it comes to Oreki. After all, as a member of a high class family, she might be expected to have an arranged marriage, to extend the families ties and influence, especially as a daughter of the house. Unless of course she had found her own future before hand. Much better to know and like, and trust, your future mate, somebody you have know for years, than have it forced on you by duty.

[Mubyoshi]

I am in awe, it has been so long since I have found such love for an anime. A random anime that I decided to watch for the heck of it has become one my favorites despite there being no awesome combat or anything involved, just a bunch of talking. I hope that one day in the future this anime will get a continuation.

[Hyper]

Originally Posted by ginger02

I liked this, a lovely episode.

I wanted to see more of Satoshi and Mayaka, but i am glad we saw them. It was nice seeing Irisu again. Lol when i think of Irisu i can't help but think of Michelle Lobster and vice versa. And yes i know they are both voiced by the same actor. Both intriguing characters.

The scene at the end with the cherry blossoms and sakura was soooo pretty and beautiful. I also wish they introduced Konari's song earlier in the series
or at least gave him a name. I like him.

The ending was pretty happy for me, although a bit bittersweet since want to see their adventures.

Usually when an anime ends i go and read the manga to follow the story. But i can't do that with this can I? It was adapted from a series of novels right? or something similar? Usually that means it's hard to find any sort of translation or even a summary.

It's a little off-topic so I'll keep it short: The first two novels has been translated at baka-tsuki. There is a manga, and only the first chapter is translated. Any other details can be found or asked in the appropriated threads.

[MUAHAHAHAHAHA]

A very satisfying ending indeed. I watched the final episode, and then I went back to the first episode. Such a change in Oreki. I couldn't stop watching the last five minutes of this episode. You don't get a definite closure to Oreki/Chitanda relationship, and that is exactly why it leaves you hungering for more. The fake confession and all are very teasing.

[thundrakkon]

Originally Posted by bellsboy66

So, does anybody else think that Chitanda might have been unconsciously husband hunting when it comes to Oreki. After all, as a member of a high class family, she might be expected to have an arranged marriage, to extend the families ties and influence, especially as a daughter of the house. Unless of course she had found her own future before hand. Much better to know and like, and trust, your future mate, somebody you have know for years, than have it forced on you by duty.

Well, there was a scene that really perked my interest in the episode, but they seem to not elaborate on it. It was when Oreki and the head old man bowed to each other. After their greeting, the old man comments that Oreki really has his act together, almost as if a father was observing his daughter's boyfriend. He called Chitanda as "Chitanda-san", so he probably is not father, but he might be a relative or one of the 4 houses. It was just an unusual scene that I just didn't know what to make of it.

As for Chitanda, Oreki is the number one guy outside of her family right now. As intelligent as she is shown this episode and thinking about her future, I'm sure she has already considered the possibility of Oreki as her future husband. Hence, she was showing him her "world", so that he can decide for himself if that is what he wants as well.

[rulfo]

Originally Posted by thundrakkon

Well, there was a scene that really perked my interest in the episode, but they seem to not elaborate on it. It was when Oreki and the head old man bowed to each other. After their greeting, the old man comments that Oreki really has his act together, almost as if a father was observing his daughter's boyfriend. He called Chitanda as "Chitanda-san", so he probably is not father, but he might be a relative or one of the 4 houses. It was just an unusual scene that I just didn't know what to make of it.

As for Chitanda, Oreki is the number one guy outside of her family right now. As intelligent as she is shown this episode and thinking about her future, I'm sure she has already considered the possibility of Oreki as her future husband. Hence, she was showing him her "world", so that he can decide for himself if that is what he wants as well.

Well she has been participating in this for a long time like what she said in this episode.

Judging by the old man's role then, he just directs/leads everyone. Chitanda then suggested Oreki when no one could probably fit the role for the one who would carry the umbrella. My guess would be that he was kind of wary of the decision but went through with it when probably Chitanda then described Houtarou's personality.

That scene was just probably him eyeing on Houtarou and seeing if he fits the description that Chitanda probably gave.

[Skane]

That would be quite the episode... Houtarou meets Eru's parents.

[Aquifina]

Originally Posted by thundrakkon

Well, there was a scene that really perked my interest in the episode, but they seem to not elaborate on it. It was when Oreki and the head old man bowed to each other. After their greeting, the old man comments that Oreki really has his act together, almost as if a father was observing his daughter's boyfriend. He called Chitanda as "Chitanda-san", so he probably is not father, but he might be a relative or one of the 4 houses. It was just an unusual scene that I just didn't know what to make of it.

This small scene, like so many others, was freighted with meaning for me--it shows that Oreki, when he wants to be, can be a part of Chitanda's formal and ritualized world, and I think it was a trial run of when he does have to meet Chitanda's real father. The way he replies also shows how Oreki still hasn't come to terms with his own competence and abilities--what caused him to hesitate in making that offer at the end. All issues that will be resolved, I'm sure, in the future in good time.

[linkinstreet]

Originally Posted by rulfo

Well she has been participating in this for a long time like what she said in this episode.

Judging by the old man's role then, he just directs/leads everyone. Chitanda then suggested Oreki when no one could probably fit the role for the one who would carry the umbrella. My guess would be that he was kind of wary of the decision but went through with it when probably Chitanda then described Houtarou's personality.

That scene was just probably him eyeing on Houtarou and seeing if he fits the description that Chitanda probably gave.

More like he was curious why Chitanda (daughter) suggested someone outside the clan to help.
They don't seem to trust outsiders much, as shown when Oreki told them the bridge is under construction and one of the elders did not believe him.

[MeoTwister5]

True to form, Hyouka ended the same way it was when it started. It began unconventional, leaving you to wonder what you're looking at and where it'll all go and end. And then when it does, it gives you something that strikes somewhere deep inside with a subtle breathtaking beauty that can only be found in a story made with tender loving care.

The final 5 minutes was... I don't even know. It left me speechless for a full half hour.

When you watch this episode and compare it to the first episode, the differences between Houtaro of the past and Houtaro of the present are so very glaring. The Houtaro back then would never have agreed to something like this, but he did, at Chitanda's request. And so he did with a humility of his own, going so far as to be such a cooperative and agreeable man. So much so that you can see the slow pace of a young man who avoided the strenuous life to a young man willing to help those in need.

And as the procession went, it was I think brilliant that we also don't get to see a lot of Chitanda from the front like Houtaro has. We, like him, are left to wonder and to be curious at what Chitanda has transformed into for that procession. Houtaro was so curious, something completely unlike him, and so were we. He couldn't help it so much that it became something of an obsession as the procession went, though his obsession probably wasn't fulfilled. We as well never fully see what Chitanda looked like, but that's okay, that was the point. This was a man who has never, ever, been this curious ever in his life. And curious, of all things, about a girl. So when the two of them walked down that cherry blossom road, and what she talked about for her future, well, the conversations between these two and even the lack thereof just makes me want more.

The comparison between the two villages and Chitanda's life with Houtaro was obvious, but it was the cherry blossoms out of season that really got to me. It really spoke a lot about Houtaro's low energy, routine filled life.

When was the last time you saw something for the first time?

The out of season cherry blossoms described his life perfectly. His life was filled with typical everyday routine. Few friends, few associations, low profile, low energy living. And then one day, out of the blue, he happens on the Kotenbu Club room and meets for the first time a curious girl with mesmerizing eyes. What could have been a routine day becomes something else, something much more, something he has never ever seen or experienced before. Something that may just happen once in a lifetime. An event you'll never have again, something that might completely change your life. Some people call it serendipity, some people call it fate. As cherry blossoms fall in the winter, what was something that was a yearly ritual becomes something much more meaningful, something more poignant, something more special.

A chance event. A chance encounter. It's these unconventional, unexpected and unusual events that sometimes has the most powerful effects in our life, and it's up to us to make the most of it. For the photographer, this was his chance. These out of season cherry blossoms during the ritual was his one in a lifetime event. It wasn't just fate or serendipity. It was opportunity.

And for Houtaro, his winter cherry blossoms was on that day on the Kotenbu Club, when he saw a girl of mesmerizing eyes staring out the window and then slowly turning around to see him. She looked straight into his eyes as her eyes did their magic, and he was hooked. A low energy life was no longer possible at that point. Everything had changed. He was taken by the hair vines of a girl who would be there whether he liked it or not. An ever so curious, rather sheltered but always energetic girl who always did her best. He had his opportunity, and he took. And it changed his life forever.

So maybe it was just a fantasy for him, maybe it was really out of character for him to say something like that. In the end he never said it, but did he really even need to? He cut his words short, and Chitanda probably never got an answer out of him. But then I can't help believe truly that she knew, that she understood what he was implying. No words were said. No words were needed. When the cherry blossoms finally flew in the wind just like in Houtaro, it was already set in stone.

She knew. She already knew.

[~Yami~]

little bored in first half....
but when Irisu appears : o_o
when Chitanda appears : O_O
I like how Oreki struggle to see Chitanda's face

too bad that Fukube and Mayaka only have little time here... at least they have a good development as well

Last part is the best
Chitanda told her dream.... and Oreki sounds like proposing... ^^
too bad Chitanda can't hear anything!!! *dammit! this always happened in anime*

great ending...
I'll write proper review about whole anime in the proper thread

[Kanon]

Lovely ending to a lovely show.

I thought Houtarou's proposal truly happened for a second -which left me utterly speechless- but it was just a daydream. I suppose it's still a little too soon for that, but I am convince that will happen in the future. I'm still in awe at how satisfying that final scene was... since I know the novels are still on-going, I didn't expect the series to give such a nice sense of completeness. Fantastic job.

[karice67]

Originally Posted by MeoTwister5

As cherry blossoms fall in the winter, what was something that was a yearly ritual becomes something much more meaningful, something more poignant, something more special.

...

And for Houtaro, his winter cherry blossoms was on that day on the Kotenbu Club, when he saw a girl of mesmerizing eyes staring out the window and then slowly turning around to see him.

I'm not sure if this will change your analysis...but cherry blossoms bloom and fall in spring (usu. around April in the Kantou region), not winter - unless you're talking about Okinawa, where it's still winter when it's warm enough for them to bloom (late January).

The tree in this episode seems to have been blooming a little bit ahead of time, going by the icy snow that we can still see on the ground.

[MeoTwister5]

My point was that winter falling cherry blossoms WAS unusual.

[karice67]

er...but it's April. I.e. it's SPRING.

The tree is blooming early, but we're talking about the difference of a week or two at most, not enough to take them back to the actual winter season.

Edit: basically, it's just a matter of the season you decided to name, nothing to do with the symbolism of it being 'unusual'. That's why I indicated that it probably wouldn't change your analysis.

[relentlessflame]

Well, the early blooming of the cherry blossoms was basically the entire point of the metaphor. When "Spring Comes" it means that your love has bloomed. Even though Houtarou says it's cold, Chitanda points out that "it's spring". Meaning, Houtarou's feelings are well on their way to blooming (they're sprouting just like the plants shown right at the end). It's no surprise they've referred to Houtarou's destination as the "pink-coloured life". All the metaphors came full-circle.

[ahelo]

This is why I love KyoAni. A truly beautiful finale both in content and in aesthetics.

[MeoTwister5]

Okay I'm lost. What month is this episode happening again? I think I failed to pay attention to the calendar at the start.

[ultimatemegax]

Originally Posted by MeoTwister5

Okay I'm lost. What month is this episode happening again? I think I failed to pay attention to the calendar at the start.

The calendar at the beginning of the episode showed April, but the actual festival occurs on March 3. I do not know why Gatou/Takemoto changed it.

[karice67]

Originally Posted by ultimatemegax

The calendar at the beginning of the episode showed April, but the actual festival occurs on March 3. I do not know why Gatou/Takemoto changed it.

According to Chitanda, they're following the lunar calendar.

Here's a short description of the festival, which takes place in Hida, Gifu prefecture (near Nagoya). That's also the locality that the setting of Hyouka is based on (reference).